Use of a carrier oil will not dilute the effect of the essential oil but will ensure oils applied topically are not irritating or overpowering. Essential Oils are volatile(will evaporate), however, carrier oils aren’t volatile (will not). This is the reason many people apply essential oils and then add a carrier oil on top, to “cover” or “trap” the essential oil.
What are some Carrier Oils? Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Pumpkin Seed Oil, Sesame Seed Oil, Almond Oil, Sunflower Oil, Jojoba Oil, Young Livings V-6
What are some Carrier Oils? Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Pumpkin Seed Oil, Sesame Seed Oil, Almond Oil, Sunflower Oil, Jojoba Oil, Young Livings V-6
Coconut Oils seems to be the most popular, most common carrier oil people choose. I would say that it has to do with the ease of knowing where it is located in the store, that it is an oil that most of us have heard of before and that almost every essential oil recipe on the web calls for Coconut Oil. Coconut oil comes in two different ways, solid and liquid. I prefer the solid because the coconut oil has been refined, and by doing so this process has taken out most of the good qualities of Coconut oil. So yes the liquid is easier to use, but stick to the solid. Other pros to using Coconut Oil as your carrier oil, is that the oil is non-greasy, penetrates the skin well, is considered highly stable with an “indefinite” shelf life.
Grapeseed Oil- I prefer this over Coconut Oil. Grape Seed oil is a very light and thin oil. Grape Seed oils work well for when I want a liquid carrier oil. Grape Seed oil has a light sweet smell, so this oil works well for massages, roller balls, skin care. Grape Seed oil is moisturizing oil but has a short shelf life.
Avocado Oil- This is one of my carrier oils of choice. Avocado Oil works well for people who have dry, cracked, or chapped skin. Avocado oil is also great for hair that needs some TLC. Avocado oil is a thicker oil, so it doesn’t dry as fast as other oils, making it a great oil to add to lotions. Avocado oil has a pretty long shelf life.
Olive oil is another one of the most popular carrier oils. As with the coconut oil, I think the reason most people turn to Olive Oil is they are familiar with it, the easy access to Olive Oil at the grocery store, not overly expensive, and most of us cook with it. Olive oil has a thicker consistency so it may leave an oily feel to the skin, and not dry as fast as other carrier oils. Olive oil is quick and easy to use since it is in a liquid state, making it great for roller balls, or as a carrier oil to leave near your essential oils at home. Olive oil does have a short shelf life. When buying olive oil look for a brand that Cold-Pressed over Virgin for a higher quality oil.
Almond Oil. I can do not use this carrier oil as I have a daughter who is allergic to tree nuts. But I can still give you information about this oil. Almond oil absorbs rather quickly and leaves a little oil on the skin. Almond oil is a great moisturizing oil and is a great all-purpose oil as long as you aren’t allergic to nuts.
Jojoba Oil is a highly stable oil with a long shelf life. Jojoba oil is similar to your natural oil so it absorbs well without leaving a non-greasy feel. Jojoba is great to moisturize the skin and hair. Jojoba oil is great for oily, acne-prone skin or inflamed skin. Makes great massage oils, hair serums, and face serums.
V-6 is a proprietary Young Living formula combining fractionated coconut oil, grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, wheat germ oil (contains a lot of vitamin E and acts as a natural preservative), sunflower oil, and olive oil V-6 moisturized and nourishes the skin. Caution: May cause a reaction to those with nut allergies.
Pumpkin Seed Oil is my other choice for carrier oils. The benefits behind Pumpkin Sees Oil are amazing. Research has proven it is great for skin that is dry, cracked, or needs hydration. Pumpkin Seed Oil is high in Omegas and fatty acids that are good for us! Pumpkin Seed Oil makes great massage oils, faced serums, and hair serums. I use this when I make lotion and body butter.
Cocoa Butter comes in a solid and is difficult to work with at room temperature. For best results, Cocoa Butter needs to be melted down and blended with other carrier oils that complement the task at hand. Cocoa butter has a sweet smell that is similar to Chocolate.
Shea Butter is solid at room temperature. Shea butter is easier to work with when you melt it down and add other carrier oils as with Cocoa Butter. Shea butter is a cream color and a nutty aroma. Shea butter is a great moisturizer for your skin and hair. However, it does leave a waxy feel on the skin.
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